Responses to community questions 12.18.15
- We were not asked if this kind of rehabilitation facility that will be located on a one way (15mph) and “residential only” road was acceptable to the community. Why was there zero notice of a possible sale to this type of facility?
Daybreak Youth Services has entered into a purchase agreement with Assemblies of God Financial, owners of the former Bethesda Slavic Church in Brush Prairie. The church was built in compliance with all existing zoning requirements and laws. There are no requirements to notify the community when a property is sold. In an effort to be a good neighbor, Daybreak opted to hold an open house where community members could ask questions and share their concerns. The information we gathered at our public meeting with help us improve operations of the facility.
- What about property value losses?
Construction of the Bethesda Slavic Church nearly 10 years ago changed the character of the neighborhood. It was built in compliance with existing regulations and requirements on the books at that time. We are not aware of any evidence that suggested repurposing the existing building into an inpatient residential treatment facility would lower surrounding property values. The current vacant, unmaintained structure may actually pose a greater risk to surrounding property values as it attracts those who wish to set off 4th of July fireworks and other unsupervised activities.
- With your “proposed” “build out” at the Church property, is it going to house/assist court ordered rehabilitation? Have any of the “youth” been in trouble with the Court whether it be convictions that were implemented or not? IE: Misdemeanor and or felony/sexual charges?
Daybreak does not accept clients sent to treatment as the result of a court order. Clients who come to Daybreak with a history of trouble with the law are evaluated closely. No client who represents a threat to other clients, staff or the surrounding neighborhood with be admitted for treatment. The Clark County Sheriff’s Office is located across the street which means a fast response from law enforcement if something unexpected happens. Because this is an important issue, we felt it necessary to share the answers to this question in person.
- What is your proposed security?
Because we are responsible for minors suffering with the disease of addiction, their safety is paramount. We are a locked facility, meaning that windows and doors are locked and clients cannot leave the facility unless they are in the care of an adult staff or custodial parent. Windows will be constructed with plexi-glass that cannot be broken. We also have a very low staff to client ratio to ensure that all clients are in the line of sight of staff at all times. Each staff has no more than 7 students under their care.
- Who is your contact for approval with the County?
Currently, our primary contact has been County Councilor David Madore.
- Who in your facility is going to implement the “15 mile per hour” speed limit down the “dead end ONE way road” for construction, staff, “YOUTH,” family and friend visitors?
Daybreak will generate a significantly smaller amount of traffic than the previous owners. The Bethesda Slavic Church had a large congregation that generated as many 200 individual car trips on Sundays and days during church sponsored activities during the week on NE 154th. A typical shift at Daybreak with involve 20 car trips per shift.
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for traffic safety. We look forward to working with Sheriff’s Deputies in our neighborhood to ensure all traffic laws are obeyed.
- Who is responsible for the rehab “youth” family, member or friend who trusts pasts, vandalizes, or breaks into any of the surrounding private property roads?
To our knowledge, we have never had instances of trespassing, vandalism or break-ins by family members or friends of clients on our property or the property of or neighbors. Any violation of the law will be reported to the sheriff’s office.
- Who will be doing security?
Our trained professional staff provides security at our facilities twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. In an extreme situation we would notify the Clark County Sheriff’s office whose Brush Prairie office is a few blocks away.
Formal Responses for Internal/Key Stakeholder Contacts
Daybreak Youth Services Brush Prairie Expansion
Frequently Asked Questions
December 18, 2015
Question: What goes on in a residential treatment center?
Answer: A residential treatment center is a school. In addition to working on credits toward high school graduation, our clients learn skills to help them make better decisions that will help them successfully return to school, work and families.
Question: Is that all?
Answer: No. Daybreak clients will also be involved in community volunteer projects ranging from litter pick up and neighborhood beautification to tending a community garden and helping elderly residents with chores.
Question: How old are Daybreak Clients? Are they male or female?
Answer: The purpose of this facility is to provide mental health and addiction treatment to adolescents aged 12 to 18. There will be approximately 20 beds for boys and 20 beds for girls in a gender specific program, meaning boys and girls will be segregated for most of aspects of programming.
Question: Why Brush Prairie?
Answer: Our current Southwest Washington facility is cramped, inefficient and outdated. We have been searching for a new home for the past 4 years. A location that would allow us to meet the mental health, physical health, addiction treatment and educational needs of teens in recovery. The former Bethesda Slavic Church in Brush Prairie is an ideal location that will make it possible to offer these services in one location.
Daybreak has been treating Clark County kids since 1999. Our board of directors includes local leaders.
Question: What about security?
Answer: Security for the surrounding neighborhood, our clients and employees is of utmost importance.
Clients with criminal charges related to drug use are evaluated closely and treatment plans formulated accordingly. In addition, Daybreak Brush Prairie will be a secure facility with doors and windows locked 24/7.
Question: Have Daybreak Clients ever run away and committed a crime?
Answer: In our 16 years in southwest Washington, we have never had any client related violent crime outside our facility. Acts of petty vandalism, such as broken windows or holes punched in walls, are almost always focused at Daybreak facilities.
Question: What about run a ways?
Answer: Our primary security concern is that if a client is actually leaves the Brush Prairie facility, they will go out on the highway and try to hitchhike to Vancouver or Portland. One of the key benefits of the former Bethesda Slavic Church is the Clark County Sheriff’s Brush Prairie substation is just a few blocks away. We will work closely with law enforcement to ensure our clients and the community are safe.
Question: Who is paying for this project?
Answer: Daybreak received a 1.5 million appropriation from legislature to expand capacity in Southwest Washington for co-occurring mental health and addiction treatment. Additional funding will come from a capital campaign and private financing.
Question: Will there be a lot of construction noise and traffic?
Answer: No. Because we are repurposing an existing building, there will be no major excavations or heavy equipment on site during renovations. Most of the work involves moving interior wall and reconfiguring plumbing and electrical systems. Remodeling work will be carried out by local contractors thus supporting jobs in our area.
Question: What about normal traffic and who will enforce the speed limit?
Answer: A typical shift at Daybreak involves 15 to 20 people which is significantly fewer than when the building was operated as a church. We want to be a good neighborhood and will provide 24/7 contact information for neighbors who have concerns about traffic or other issues.
